The Board of Equalization reminds Californians preparing their 2013 state income tax returns to remember to pay their use tax. Taxpayers can pay use tax in a few seconds by using the convenient Use Tax Lookup Table included in California’s income tax return instructions. Paying use tax helps fund critical services in our communities such as education, roads, and public safety.

Use tax may be owed on items used in California that were purchased without paying tax from an out-of-state online or mail-order retailer. Use tax is not an “Internet tax” and has been California law since 1935.

For example, California residents would owe use tax if they buy tangible personal property, such as flowers, consumer electronics, clothing, or small appliances for their use at home from an out-of-state retailer who did not charge tax.

The Use Tax Lookup Table provides an easy way for taxpayers to pay use tax on each non-business purchase that is less than $1,000, even if they did not save their receipts. Taxpayers simply locate their adjusted gross income on the table and enter the indicated tax amount on the use tax line that appears on their California State Income Tax return (540 or 5402EZ). As shown in the table above, a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income between $30,000 and $39,999 would pay $11 in use tax.

In the previous fiscal year, use tax revenues paid through California income tax returns grew 12 percent. Despite the increase, the BOE estimates $1 billion goes uncollected each year – enough money to pay the salaries of about 6,000 firefighters, 7,000 police officers, or 11,000 teachers.

Helpful Links

Find a sales and use tax rate by address.

For more information about Use Tax, visit the BOE’s media resource webpage.